The shorter grip is slightly easier to conceal than the grip on the full-size. The compact will accept the full-size magazines, so I can carry 8+1 with a flush-fitting magazine on strong-side, and carry 10rd spares in the mag holder weak-side. (For that matter, I have some 14rd mags, but those are more for the vault in my truck; kind of awkward for carry on the body.)

My M&Ps feed anything I've tried. No stoppages with either one to date. And while I have not yet started reloading, there is an abundance of data for loading .45acp, and people I know who do reload say it's a very forgiving round for a new reloader.

With the large backstrap equipped, the M&P is a perfect fit for my hand, and points ridiculously well. (I have long hands; most people I know use the medium grip.)

The M&P is highly modular, so for those who want the ability to install (or remove) a thumb safety, or magazine disconnect safety, it's a good choice. I like mine without either the thumb or mag safeties, so that's how they are configured.

I like that it's made in America, too, by an American company with a fantastic reputation for both quality control and customer service.

While the .45acp would not be my first choice for defense from 4-legged critters, there are loads that would make it at least a not-too-inadequate choice. Frankly, I am normally not concerned with boar and bear; in my neck of the woods, I suppose mountain lions are a remote possibility, but a .45 will work just fine on those (assuming one sees the kitty in time). My main concern is with 2-legged critters, and the .45acp has a pretty good track record with those.

It's also not a terribly expensive gun to replace, should it get damaged, etc. Even with the additions I've made (Apex kits, Heinie Straight-8 sights), the pistol would cost less to replace than would most SIGs.

There is good aftermarket support for the gun, too. Holsters and sights are plentiful.

Silly question but I will play. Not my favorite although shooting it is so much fun it should be illegal. My H&R 10 gauge shotgun. Goose to boogerman to grizzly bear to alligator to bison. Just how versatile can you get. A little hard on squirrels and rabbits but I can always use a snare to catch them.

__________________
Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.
--Daniel Webster--

@old grump
It's not a silly question. just think of it this way; if you had to sell everything to raise money for something you have to have (could be for anything.... whatever you can think of.) which gun is the one you'd hide for yourself.

@mleake
Im not asking what you would specificly need one for. Im asking what you would absolutly have to keep. And i dont mean favorite either.... For example, it could be something you think is extremely ugly but you love how it feels in your hand like it was made just for you. Dont think so deep into it! Its just a conversation. no one is saying youre really going to have to give up all but one!

If I had to keep just one it would have to be my mossberg 500 12 gage (my first gun) as I can pretty much do everything I like to do with that gun. I would REALLY HATE to give up my S&W 500 mag but I don't think I could give up skeet shooting just to keep it as my one and only. plus the mossberg is alot cheeper to shoot without having the hand load. What a horrible thought, having just one gun lol Probably wouldn't hurt as much if we could at least sell the rest of them I suppose

It's not a silly question. just think of it this way; if you had to sell everything to raise money for something you have to have (could be for anything.... whatever you can think of.) which gun is the one you'd hide for yourself.

Whoah, that's a different question entirely than the one originally stated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedWhiteBlackYellow

no one is saying youre really going to have to give up all but one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedWhiteBlackYellow

If you could only have one gun, what would it be?!

No, that appears to be exactly what you said earlier.

My new answer is my 12 gauge Ithaca Model 37, since the rest of my guns are readily replaceable or otherwise uninteresting enough not to repurchase.

I hate these "if you could only have one" questions. If I could only have one, I wouldn't have the dozens I currently own....

Making it a gun you have owned, or currently own is an interesting twist, so I'll play this time.

If I could only keep one gun from my collections, it would be a tough call. For overall maximum utility, I'd have to choose my S&W Model 28 6" .357 mag. Powerful enough for hunting, versatile enough for small game (with .38s), quite adequate for defense (.357Mag, after all) and while on the large side for a handgun, not so big that it could not be carried, or concealed if needed.

On the other hand, I think the final gun I would just HAVE to keep, would be my Grandfather's Ithaca Flues model 12ga. Its been in the family for over 100 years, and still works the way it did when he first bought it in 1909. Works for hunting and home defense, just not very well for concealed carry.

__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

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